Chapter 283: Chapter 283
The next day, somehow having learned about this matter, Sima Xiang—who had been almost as busy as a dog since An Ning's ascension to the throne—hurriedly put down the large pile of tasks at hand and rushed to the palace for an audience. Her flower-like little face now carried a trace of shame and embarrassment.
Sticking closely to An Ning's side, Sima Xiang's voice became even more melodious:
"Your Majesty is so magnanimous, but my father... ah, he really shouldn't have..."
On the soft couch, An Ning couldn't help but shake her head with a light laugh:
"Ah Xiang, you're overthinking it. They were just a few insignificant, boring remarks earlier, after all they can't affect anything. Besides... would your Emperor really be such a petty person?"
"As long as Minister Sima performs his duties competently in the future, I won't treat him harshly! After all, he is your biological father..."
What 'not holding a grudge'—Your Majesty is not that kind of person at all! But now... this was all for her sake!
Recalling all the previous incidents, Sima Xiang's eyes grew even more teary.
Her Emperor was such a good person, wise and tolerant—so what if she was a woman ruling? As long as the work was done well, what difference did gender make?
Hmph! Her dad said women had narrow minds, but his breadth of mind wasn't even as broad as her Emperor's! Let's see if her dad would still have the nerve later!
What 'not holding a grudge'—Your Majesty is not that kind of person at all! But now... this was all for her sake!
Equally diligent were Han Yue, Cao Xi, and Zhou Yutong. This was the first important task Her Highness—no, now she should be called Your Majesty—had entrusted to them since ascending the throne.
As the Emperor's inner circle, how could they embarrass Her Majesty!
Recalling the occasional hints Her Highness had previously dropped, the group of friends now wished they could split themselves into two—no, four parts to use.
In contrast, An Ning herself, who had issued the commands, was currently quite leisurely nestled on the soft couch, allowing the surrounding Palace Servants to eagerly offer fresh lychees newly arrived from this year's estate harvest.
Seeing her , the system couldn't help but twitch its mouth:
Hmph! Her dad said women had narrow minds, but his breadth of mind wasn't even as broad as her Emperor's! Let's see if her dad would still have the nerve later!
"Oh, right, it was which region had the most gentry and the most complex internal political environment, wasn't it!"
Thinking of how Miss Sima had looked earlier—full of gratitude, ready to shed blood and sacrifice her life for her Emperor—the system's mouth twitched even more violently.
Hearing this, An Ning didn't care at all, biting into the plump, juicy fruit:
"What kind of talk is that, system? Someone who repeatedly expressed dissatisfaction—yet your host can treat them so leniently, even assigning them to a good place like Jiangnan for external posting, and adopting their good suggestions without bearing grudges!"
"With all this, I ask you, isn't this Emperor of yours magnanimous enough?"
As for those dissatisfied people in the court, presumably someone as "leisurely" as Minister Sima could handle a few targeted attacks or even impeachments in the future! Keeping busy means less time for nonsense.
Playing casually with the white jade chess piece in her hand:
An Ning thought to herself, people! No matter how annoying their criticisms, they can always play to their strengths when utilized.
Making the most of everything—that's how this Emperor can be comfortable!
System: "......." Looking at its host .
The system silently mourned for a certain minister in its heart!
As decrees were issued one after another, whether in the court or among the common people, countless scholars and literati focused their attention on the fields about to be sown.
Amid the busy activity, the first year of Jiayou quickly passed.
Unexpectedly, perhaps because most attention was spent on the upcoming improved seeds, apart from demoting a few officials who neglected their duties, the scenario many ministers had anticipated—of a new ruler showing authority with three firm actions—did not materialize.
While many subconsciously breathed a sigh of relief, for some reason, their underlying unease grew even stronger instead.
Time flew by until the second year of Jiayou.
In early January, during the imperial examination period, Bianjing was filled with countless scholars coming and going. In various wine shops and small establishments, numerous scholars dressed in blue robes were engaged in passionate discussions, their tones sometimes impassioned.
Of course, given the circumstances, the most discussed topic was the "improved seeds" distributed last year. Many even speculated that this year's spring examination or palace examination questions would relate to this.
For example, at this moment, in a small wine shop in the eastern city.
Inside a private room, a particularly handsome young man in blue robes leisurely savored fine wine from his cup. Seeing his companion still engrossed in scrolls even now, he raised an eyebrow teasingly:
"What's wrong with you, Brother Zizhan? These past few days you've been studying so diligently—it shouldn't be necessary! With your talent and learning, Brother Zizhan, are you afraid you might fail selection?"
The opposite youth, similarly dressed as a scholar and named Su Zizhan, didn't even look up, speaking without courtesy:
"Coming from others would be one thing, but hearing this from you, Brother Zihou, feels rather strange..."
An Ning thought to herself, people! No matter how annoying their criticisms, they can always utilize some of their strengths when employed.
As he spoke, the long scroll in his hands unconsciously unfurled slightly. From the exposed portion, characters related to agriculture, local topography, and similar topics could clearly be seen.
His teasing friend opposite couldn't help but laugh heartily upon seeing this:
"People say everyone has their strengths! His Majesty is no ordinary person—surely he won't be too biased!"
At the same time, in the imperial palace, the Emperor An Ning—who was being talked about by everyone—suddenly thought of something and slowly set down the memorial in her hand.
Wait, the second year of Jiayou in the Northern Song Dynasty, isn't that...
Oh, no wonder this era name seemed so familiar—it's the legendary Millennium Dragon and Tiger List!
A miraculous list that gathered prime ministers, famous officials, multiple literary giants, and even regular jinshi said to be historically renowned.
Thinking this, An Ning couldn't help but stroke her chin:
Oh, the legendary workhorses... no, the talents have arrived!